NORWALK -- There's a lot at stake at Broad River 8 a.m. Sunday morning, at least as far as the Norwalk Mariners and Wilton Ancient Warriors are concerned.

The Mariners and Ancient Warriors have something of a rivalry -- though both teams swear it's a friendly one -- and the two are tied on points in the jam-packed Shoreline Adult Soccer League Over 40 standings, where six teams are within six points of first place.

It's the classic "six-pointer," in soccer parlance, with a chance to get one over on guys you've been playing with and against for years thrown in for good measure.

But there's something bigger at play here, too: Sunday's game is the second in a month-long breast cancer fundraising effort on the part of the Mariners.

"We wear pink uniforms, because pink is the color of awareness for breast cancer," said Ted Cenatiempo, the Mariners' captain. "We wear pink socks, we have ribbons on our jerseys, we wear ribbons on our wrists, we use pink soccer balls, we have a donation table at the field every day we play."

This is the second year Cenatiempo -- who lost his mother, Mary, the club's secretary when his father ran the Mariners, to breast cancer in July -- is running the fundraiser. Last year he said the team raised $2,500 for the Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven, donating their own money, taking donations from spectators and opposing teams on match days and even having referees to donate their game checks.

"Last year was my first year so I didn't have a lot of expectations. I went on the website and I saw what other amateur organizations were doing. I think we did pretty well," Cenatiempo said. "We expect to surpass last year."

And with the backing of Connecticut's soccer community -- the league is one of the largest adult leagues in the country and teams come from all over Fairfield and New Haven counties -- he may be able to do just that.

Andrew Allers, the Ancient Warriors' manager and the league's treasurer, said he sees teams setting up charity events regularly, and their opponents are more than happy to oblige.

"I think when people get to our age, and they get out on a Sunday and get a chance to play a game for fun, you become more appreciative," he said. "We're exceptionally grateful. I get up Sunday morning, I go to play soccer, I listen to the same music I did when I was 18. I'm so grateful to be able to do this and these are little ways to be able to give back to other people."

Last year, the Ancient Warriors were big supporters of the Mariners fundraiser. The Mariners, in turn, support the Kick for Nick event, which the Ancient Warriors participate in each Memorial Day, which raises money to send soccer balls to children around the world.

Cinetiempo agreed that age gives the teams a little perspective, and a desire to use soccer to do some good.

"We're a very serious soccer team. We play to win, we have a lot of pride for the game, a lot of passion, but you've got your family, you've got your jobs, you've got your house you've got your life," he said. "They're all about the win-win situation. We're doing a charity to help the women in our community and it's a good thing for our soccer team, so they're all good for it."

As for the rivalry, the Ancient Warriors are still out to avenge last year's State Cup final loss, in which the Mariners conceded early but came back to win. And either team can jump as high as second with a win.

"We'll make some donations, we'll shake hands and then we'll get on the field and kick each other," Allers said. "But those 90 minutes, we'll be trying to win, and they are, too."

After Sunday's game, the Mariners take on Southeast Rovers Oct. 19 at Broad River at 10 a.m. Oct. 26, they play on the road against the Ridgefield Kicks at Scotland School at 9 a.m. The last game in the fundraising period is Nov. 2 at Broad River against the Kicks at 10 a.m.